3
algebraA cloud storage service charges $12 per month for 100 GB. Each additional 50 GB costs $5. If someone has a monthly budget of at most $32, which inequality represents the maximum number of additional 50 GB blocks they can purchase?
A
B
C
D
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the correct answer. Base fee plus variable costs create a linear inequality.
- Base cost: $12 for basic 100 GB
- Variable cost: $5 per additional 50 GB block
- Total: for blocks
- Budget: At most $32 means
- Result:
?�� Strategic Tip: Identify fixed costs vs variable costs when modeling real-world scenarios.
Choice B is incorrect because it reverses the coefficients (base fee and per-unit cost). Choice C is incorrect because it subtracts the base fee instead of adding it. Choice D is incorrect because it adds the coefficients together, losing the structure of fixed + variable costs.